A joint venture between Nigeria’s Niger Delta Petroleum Resources (NEPL) and Seplat Energy has launched a major teacher-training initiative, selecting 650 educators from Edo and Delta States for its 2025 Seplat Teachers Empowerment Programme (STEP). The effort, designed to modernize teaching practices and bolster Nigeria’s education sector, began with workshops in Benin City and Asaba, equipping participants with tools for a four-month virtual training curriculum leading to Microsoft certification.
Selected from over 4,600 applicants through a competitive online process, the cohort of 325 teachers and education officials from each state received Android tablets and subsidized internet data to ensure seamless participation. Chioma Afe, Seplat Energy’s Director of External Affairs, emphasized the transformative potential of the program during the Benin City session, urging participants to adopt their roles as “agents of change” and outlining a seven-part communication framework to enhance classroom effectiveness. “A teacher’s excellence directly shapes student outcomes,” she asserted, linking professional development to broader societal progress.
Edo State’s Commissioner for Education, Dr. Paddy Iyamu, echoed this sentiment, comparing the program’s value to high-cost international training packages. He stressed the need for educators to model moral leadership, stating, “Ending poverty and moral decline starts in classrooms.” Similar themes dominated the Delta State workshop, where officials highlighted the initiative’s alignment with national education goals. Delta’s Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mrs. Rose Ezewu, linked Nigeria’s social challenges to educational quality, calling STEP a “long-term investment” in national development.
Launched in 2020, STEP has now trained over 1,300 educators, integrating STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) pedagogy with leadership development and digital literacy. The onboarding workshops introduced collaborative projects to be executed during mentorship phases, addressing real-world school challenges. Steve Ojeh, Seplat’s Director of Corporate Services, challenged participants to “propel their careers through curiosity and ambition,” underscoring the program’s focus on self-driven professional growth.
With Nigeria ranking among countries struggling to meet UN Sustainable Development Goal 4 (quality education), initiatives like STEP aim to bridge gaps in teacher preparedness and student performance. Alumni from earlier cohorts have reportedly driven measurable improvements in learning outcomes, reinforcing the model’s potential for scalability. As the 2025 cohort progresses, the program’s emphasis on replicable strategies and community-rooted impact positions it as a critical player in reshaping Nigeria’s educational landscape.
